This hazardous materials procedures manual is intended for use by faculty,
staff and supervisors and designed to identify, educate and proceduralize
chemical hazards you face in the work place. It is essential that
you familiarize yourself with the manual's content and be prepared to act
calmly and with confidence in the event of a hazardous chemical exposure.

This manual may serve as a training and emergency reference. It
is to be available for easy access to all employees who should be familiar
with its content. New employees are to be familiar with this as part
of their orientation program.

This manual meets the scope and application of OAR 437 Division 155
and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). If there are further
questions or comments please contact the Occupational/Environmental Safety Office at
8-8156 (V/TDD 838-8481).

INTRODUCTION

HAZARD COMMUNICATION

Western uses hundreds of hazardous chemicals daily, from solvents and
glues to paint cleaners,
acids, etc. For Western to be in compliance with Oregon Occupational
Health and Safety
Administration (OR-OSHA), you have the right to know about the chemicals
in your work site,
including their location, health hazards and safe handling precautions.

1. What is a hazardous chemical? A hazardous chemical may be one
or a combination of the following that may be a physical or health hazard:

2. Accountability - Supervisor. Faculty and management staff with
supervision oversight are required to ensure all hazardous chemicals in
their departments contain proper labeling, have Safety Data
Sheets (SDS) available and ensure employees, students and others who come
in contact or potential contact with hazardous materials are trained in
accordance with OR-OSHA regulations and the Federal "Right to Know" law.

3. Accountability - Employee. Faculty, staff and students who
may come in contact with hazardous chemicals are required to know how the
type of chemical is to be used, the hazards, location of the SDS and what
procedures are required in the event of a chemical spill or exposure.

Chemicals are to remain in their original container unless immediately
used by the person who transferred the chemical to a secondary container.
At no time is anyone to use a chemical if it meets one or more of the following
criteria:

i. The chemical is in a secondary container that does not have the correct
labeling and associated hazards.

ii. The container is damaged or leaking.

iii. The person who is using the chemical has not been trained in the application or associated hazards of the chemical.

iv. The person using the chemical is not wearing the personal protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer.

B. What is a
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? This is an information sheet from a manufacturer
on the chemical, describing the physical and chemical characteristics;
hazards; exposure limits and control measures; First Aid procedures; precautions
for use; and personal protective equipment.

Who is responsible for the SDS? Faculty and management
staff with employees who may use chemicals are required to have SDS present
in the work place. If a hazardous chemical does not have a SDS
available, the supervisor is required to request one through the supplier
or vendor prior to its use at the work site.

C. Training - Use and Locations of Chemicals
and SDS. Who is required to be trained on chemicals? Employees,
students, contractors and/or persons who may come in contact with hazardous
chemicals while performing duties at the University.

Training Includes:

* Type of and how the hazard communication labeling system works;

* How to obtain, read and use SDS and appropriate hazard information;

* Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals in their work area;

* Methods used to determine the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work place. (Many chemicals do not have an odor or visible vapor or gas.);

* How to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals through procedures and personal protective equipment;

* Emergency procedures to follow if exposed to a hazardous chemical;

* Location and use of hazardous chemicals;

* List and location of SDS.

Hazardous Chemical Use Expectations:

* Each employee is responsible to use hazardous chemicals in a safe
manner that is consistent with the chemical labeling and SDS.

* Employees are NOT to use a chemical in an unmarked container or a
new chemical introduced into the work area until they are properly labeled and SDS are available.

* Each employee is to use appropriate personal protective equipment recommended by the chemical manufacturer and SDS.

Hazardous Chemical Locations

* Each employee is to know the location of all hazardous chemicals and
the related dangers in their work area.

SDS Locations:

* Each employee is to know the location and access of SDS for chemicals
used in their area.

* Each employee is to report to their supervisor any SDS missing in
their work area.